Glass Beads 103.1-Simple Cane

The class is intended for the beginning student and does not require a lot of experience or expensive tools and materials.  The class will start with an introduction and a presentation slide of the class Syllabus.  We will then review the prerequisites including having knowledge of basic lampwork safety requirements, a well ventilated work area and a pair of didymium safety glasses.  It is also recommended that the students has a kiln to properly anneal their canes and beads. 

The class will then move on to the first cane technique.  The student will learn how to make encased canes using both opaque and transparent glass.  The instructor will provide some helpful notes such as using glass from the same manufacturer to avoid compatibility issues. 

The second cane technique to be taught will be a simple, 2-color twisted cane.  The instructor will demonstrate how to lay one glass rod on top of the other and attach the two ends together.  The glass will then be gently heated, twisted and pulled to form a simple, 2-color cane.  The instructor will then demonstrate how to apply the cane to the bead so as not to stretch and lose the tightness of the cane twist.

The third technique will expand the 2-color cane to a 4-color cane with complex outlines between each of the 4 colors.  The instructor will demonstrate how to lay the colors on top of each other and how to use stringer to outline each of the colors.  The rods of glass will be used to form a cap on each end of the glass components.  The glass will then be gently heated, twisted and pulled to form a complex 4-color cane.  The instructor will then demonstrate how to apply the cane to a disc bead.  The disc will then be heated and melted to form a round, donut bead with the cane becoming stripes across the bead.

The fourth technique will expand the 4-color cane to a 6-color, twisted rainbow cane.  Instead of melting the glass rod sections together, the colors will be applied to a base barrel of glass.  Caps will be applied to the cane and I will use 1/8" mandrels to heat, twist and form the 6-color cane.

The final technique will be a straight, ribbon cane.  The encased cane from the first lecture will be used on a clear paddle to form a rainbow stripe.  The paddle will be encased with clear glass, heated and pulled into a rainbow ribbon.  The ribbon will be applied to a white bead and twisted into a Rainbow Vortex Swirl design.

A short congratulatory wrap up will conclude the class.